Activists gather to protest expected state budget cuts
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HARRISBURG -- Gov. Tom Corbett hasn't delivered his 2012-13 budget address yet, but some people are already unhappy.
About 200 protesters from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and other towns gathered in a Capitol hallway before the 11:30 a.m. budget speech. They shouted "Shame, shame shame," as Kevin Harley, Mr. Corbett's press secretary, walked through their ranks.
Protestors said they included One Pittsburgh, Occupy Pittsburgh, Fight for Philly and other "unemployed workers, teachers, students and health care workers" who claim Mr. Corbett didn't do enough for their industries in 2011, his first year in office.
They alll wore black t-shirts with white lettering reading "Mr. Corbett, whose side are you on?"
Kyndall Mason of Pittsburgh said that while she does't know yet exactly what the governor will say, she expects him to "favor corporations by not taxing them and making cuts in education and health care. We have a general idea what he'll say."
Shawn Wygant of Pittsburgh said, "We're standing up for the common man because the people we elect to Harrisburg aren't."
Asked about the protestors who said the governor's budget is unfair, Charles Zogby, Mr. Corbett's budget secretary replied: "They are mistaken. The governor's plan is fair and balanced for Pennsylvanians. Our revenue is constrained while many costs are rising. We will keep a huge bulk of the social safety net programs [in DPW]."
After the budget speech additional protests are expected outside the Capitol, including one to "hold a funeral for fairness."
First Published February 7, 2012 10:24 am
